Shaikh Khalifa, in an interview to the Qatar-based Al Watan daily, stressed that initiating a dialogue to defuse regional tensions and crisis is the best strategy to ensure the security of the Gulf and Arab region.
The UAE, he added, was looking forward to the forthcoming Arab summit in the Qatari capital, Doha, as it would provide a precious opportunity to mend Arab fences and settle regional issues amicably.
Shaikh Khalifa said Arab leaders attending the Doha summit would open a new page in Arab collaboration, despite current challenges in the region. “The summit will tackle the regional issues, including the Palestinian issue in the light of the Israeli occupation, as well as, Golan Heights, Lebanon issues, and the current situation in Iraq.’’
Shaikh Khalifa also called on the United States, European countries and others to put pressure on Israel to accept peaceful just solution of the Palestinian problem in line with the Arab peace initiative, which advocates setting up of an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem (Al Quds) as a capital in return for recognition of Israel.
He said he deemed President Obama’s message to Iran as positive and a prelude to a serious dialogue that could bring an end to perennial tension between the two countries.
Shaikh Khalifa, asked about Iran’s nuclear programme, said: “The Iranian nuclear programme is worrying us, particularly if it is not peaceful. We are against any non-peaceful nuclear programme in the region. And no one in the region will stage protest against the Iranian nuclear programme in case it is peaceful.”
Shaikh Khalifa said the UAE constantly “calls for a dialogue to preserve stability, because we are against tension, whether between us and Iran or others, in order to safeguard security of Gulf and Arab region’’, indicating that any proximity between the US and Iranian leaderships would help reduce the threat of conflict in this key region of the world.
“Dialogue,” he stressed, “is required to overcome crisis. It is the sole channel to overcome problems in the region and usher in a new era of peace and stability.’’
On the subject of Iran’s occupation of three UAE islands, Shaikh Khalifa said he was hoping the Iranian leadership would respond to a demand to restore UAE sovereignty to the three islands.
“After all, we are not requesting something impossible, but we are calling for legitimacy over our three islands — Abu Mousa, Tunb Greater and Lesser Tunb.” He reiterated that the UAE would accept a verdict, whatever it is, from the International Court of Justice.
He also welcomed Syrian President Bashar Al Assad or other Arab leaders’ mediation to help resolve the issue of Iranian occupation of three UAE islands. “We respect President Al Assad and welcome his mediation, and we also welcome any Arab mediation, because we (want) peace and justice.”
Shaikh Khalifa said the effects of the global financial crisis have touched all, adding that “it is natural the UAE is affected too as we play pivotal regional and international financial and economic roles.”
He noted that when the global financial crunch began “we moved immediately to curb it as we injected liquidity into our banking system, and resuscitated some corporations affected much by the crisis.”
Commenting on the current oil prices in the world market, he said, “the prices are low and as such they affect all. A fair per-barrel price from our point of view is $ 70-75.”
On the proposal to construct a bridge between Abu Dhabi and Doha, Shaikh Khalifa said the proposal exists and would be executed in the best interest of two countries and peoples. “We are in contact with the Amir of Qatar, His Highness Shaikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, to (help) remove any impediments which (may) hamper the construction of the bridge.”
